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Rocket Raccoon is 'Very Real,' According to Chris Pratt

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The intergalactic gun-toting raccoon is more than just a cartoon character, says the leader of Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy.

For those wondering what to expect from Guardians of the Galaxy's much-hyped Rocket Raccoon when the movie is released next year, star Chris Pratt wants you to know that he'll be "very real." Well, as real as any other CGI talking raccoon in space, of course.

"You think it's a cartoon character, but it's not, it's a very real creature," Pratt told Access Hollywood at an event celebrating the 100th episode of his NBC series Parks and Recreation, calling the character -- voiced by Bradley Cooper -- "probably the best character in the movie, just because it's not what you would expect."

Saying that Rocket had been "tortured his whole life and no one else likes him, so he's lonely and he's angry and it's like, [there are] all these elements [to the character]," Pratt said that the hidden depths to the surly space raccoon are what will make the character the breakout star of the movie. "You sort of forget about that … hopefully [that mix of different elements] will come to life. I think it will and that's why they hired a really good actor to do the role."

Everyone who picked up their Rocket Raccoon plush toy at New York Comic Con last weekend, you may end up being able to congratulate yourselves on being ahead of the crowd.